US7016561B2 - Optical switch device having movable switching member - Google Patents

Optical switch device having movable switching member Download PDF

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Publication number
US7016561B2
US7016561B2 US10/354,347 US35434703A US7016561B2 US 7016561 B2 US7016561 B2 US 7016561B2 US 35434703 A US35434703 A US 35434703A US 7016561 B2 US7016561 B2 US 7016561B2
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electrodes
moving element
optical switch
optical
light
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US20030147582A1 (en
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Naoki Nishida
Takuji Hatano
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Minolta Co Ltd
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Minolta Co Ltd
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/28—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals
    • G02B6/293—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means
    • G02B6/29346—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means operating by wave or beam interference
    • G02B6/29361—Interference filters, e.g. multilayer coatings, thin film filters, dichroic splitters or mirrors based on multilayers, WDM filters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/10—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
    • G02B6/12—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type of the integrated circuit kind
    • G02B6/12007—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type of the integrated circuit kind forming wavelength selective elements, e.g. multiplexer, demultiplexer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/28—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals
    • G02B6/293—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means
    • G02B6/29379—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means characterised by the function or use of the complete device
    • G02B6/29395—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means characterised by the function or use of the complete device configurable, e.g. tunable or reconfigurable
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/10—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
    • G02B6/12—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type of the integrated circuit kind
    • G02B2006/12083—Constructional arrangements
    • G02B2006/12109—Filter
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
    • G02B6/354—Switching arrangements, i.e. number of input/output ports and interconnection types
    • G02B6/3544—2D constellations, i.e. with switching elements and switched beams located in a plane
    • G02B6/3546—NxM switch, i.e. a regular array of switches elements of matrix type constellation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
    • G02B6/3564—Mechanical details of the actuation mechanism associated with the moving element or mounting mechanism details
    • G02B6/3568—Mechanical details of the actuation mechanism associated with the moving element or mounting mechanism details characterised by the actuating force
    • G02B6/357—Electrostatic force
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/35—Optical coupling means having switching means
    • G02B6/3596—With planar waveguide arrangement, i.e. in a substrate, regardless if actuating mechanism is outside the substrate

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an optical switch device which is provided on an optical path of an optical waveguide and switches an advancing direction of an incident light to the optical waveguide.
  • an optical network for transmitting mass information
  • an optical switch as device for dividing a light is used for the optical network.
  • a conventional optical switch switches a light between linear advancing and reflection in such a manner that a micromirror provided on an optical path of a light flux emitted from an optical fiber is supported by a movable plate and the movable plate is moved by applying a voltage so that the micromirror is retracted from the optical path.
  • such an optical switch additionally requires a movable plate for moving a micromirror.
  • an optical switch in which a groove section which slantly crosses two crossing optical waveguides is provided, air bubbles are formed in a liquid filling the groove section and the air bubbles are heated by a microheater so as to be moved.
  • this optical switch since a refractive index of the filling liquid and a refractive index of the optical waveguides are set to be approximately equal with each other, when the liquid is provided onto the optical paths of the optical waveguides, a light advances straight, and when air bubbles are provided, a light is reflected so that the advancing direction is switched.
  • such an optical switch carries out heating, it requires a microheater and a heat radiating mechanism.
  • optical switch which uses a micropump having piezoelectric element or a magnetic force of a magnetic coil in order to drive a mirror or a filter provided on a crossed section of two optical waveguides.
  • a driving mechanism such as a micropump which utilizes a liquid
  • it is difficult to stop a filter on a predetermined position and its locating mechanism becomes complicated.
  • a driving force generating section including the coil for driving a filter becomes complicated and thus becomes large. Therefore, in those conventional optical switches, there arises a problem that their structure becomes complicated.
  • wavelength multiplex communication is carried out.
  • this wavelength multiplex communication different pieces of information are placed on lights (carrier waves) with different wavelengths and a plurality of carrier waves are superposed so that mass information can be transmitted by one optical fiber.
  • the lights where wavelengths are multiplexed are reflected or transmitted uniformly, pieces of information placed on the carrier waves cannot be output separately.
  • the pieces of information are branched by an additional branching filter or the like so as to be taken out, there arises a problem that an optical communication system having an optical switch becomes complicated.
  • the above objects of the present invention is achieved by providing an optical switch provided on an optical path of an optical waveguide and which switches an advancing direction of a light passed through the optical path of the optical waveguide.
  • the optical switch comprises a movable switching member which switches the advancing direction of the light; and a driving member which electrostatically drives said switching member to move in an arbitrary position so that the light passed through the optical path of the optical waveguide is guided to different directions.
  • FIGS. 1( a ), 1 ( b ), 1 ( c ) and 1 ( d ) are side sectional views respectively showing a method of manufacturing a waveguide in a main body of an optical switch according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an outline perspective view showing a structure of an optical switch 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a structure of a periphery of a groove section in the optical switch 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing transmittance of an interference filter 3 a of the optical switch 1 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing transmittance of an interference filter 3 b of the optical switch 1 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing transmittance of an interference filter 3 c of the optical switch 1 ;
  • FIGS. 7( a ), 7 ( b ), 7 ( c ) and 7 ( d ) are respectively diagrams showing a relationship between a moving element section and electrodes of each filter when each filter moves;
  • FIGS. 8( a ), 8 ( b ), 8 ( c ) and 8 ( d ) are diagrams respectively showing a relationship between the moving element section and the electrodes of each filter when each filter moves;
  • FIGS. 9( a ), 9 ( b ), 9 ( c ) and 9 ( d ) are diagrams respectively showing a relationship between the moving element section and the electrodes of each filter when each filter moves;
  • FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state of the optical switch 1 in an initial state (total transmitting mode);
  • FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state of the optical switch 1 in a total reflection mode
  • FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state that the optical switch 1 allows a wavelength ⁇ 1 to transmit;
  • FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state that the optical switch 1 allows a wavelength ⁇ 2 to transmit;
  • FIG. 14 is a diagram showing transmittance of another interference filter provided to the optical switch 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 15 is an exploded sectional view showing a structure of a periphery of a groove section in an optical switch la according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 16 is a side sectional view showing a structure of a periphery of a groove section in the optical switch 1 a;
  • FIG. 17 is an exploded sectional view showing a structure of a periphery of a groove section in an optical switch 1 b according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 18 is a side sectional view showing a structure of the periphery of the groove section in the optical switch 1 b;
  • FIG. 19 is an exploded sectional view showing a structure of a periphery of a groove section in an optical switch 1 c according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 20 is side sectional view showing a structure of the periphery of the groove section in the optical switch 1 c;
  • FIG. 21 is an outline perspective view showing a structure of a filter in the optical switch 1 c;
  • FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a relationship between stator and three-phase wiring section
  • FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a relationship between stator and three-phase wiring section.
  • FIG. 24 is a plan view showing an optical switch line provided with a plurality of optical switches.
  • FIGS. 1( a ) through 1 ( d ) are sectional views of the main body of the optical switch and show the sectionals in a direction which crosses two waveguides provided in the main body.
  • a lower clad layer 11 made of quartz or the like is deposited on a substrate 10 made of Si or the like by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or the like.
  • a core layer 12 made of quartz or the like is deposited on the lower clad layer 11 .
  • Refractive index of the lower clad layer 11 is smaller than that of the core layer 12 by doping fluorine.
  • a resist 13 is applied to the core layer 12 by the spin coat process or the like and is exposed or developed so as to be patterned into a predetermined shape.
  • the core layer 12 is etched by reactive ion etching (RIE) or the like, so that a waveguide 14 with a predetermined shape is formed.
  • RIE reactive ion etching
  • the core layer 12 is made of quartz, CHF 3 , CF 4 or the like is used as a reactive gas of RIE.
  • an upper clad layer 15 made of the same material as that of the lower clad layer 11 is deposited while fluorine or the like is being doped.
  • a main body 8 which waveguides an incident light by means of the waveguide 14 sandwiched between the lower clad layer 11 with smaller refractive index and the upper clad layer 15 , can be obtained.
  • the waveguide 14 provided to the main body 8 has the common structure.
  • FIG. 2 is an outline perspective view showing a structure of an optical switch 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • two waveguides 14 a and 14 b are provided to the main body 8 so as to cross at a predetermined crossing angle ⁇ by the above-mentioned manufacturing method.
  • a groove section 2 is formed so as to cross a crossed section 14 c of the waveguides 14 a and 14 b .
  • a filter 3 is put into the groove section 2 .
  • the filter 3 has interference filters 3 a through 3 c with different optical properties, and a moving element section 3 d formed by a resistor material having a predetermined resistance value (for example, 10 10 ⁇ / ⁇ to 10 16 106 / ⁇ , it is noted that ⁇ / ⁇ is a unit representing surface resistivity).
  • the groove section 2 is provided with the filter 3 .
  • a plurality of electrodes 4 which function as stators with respect to the moving element section 3 d are provided to the main body 8 so as to drive the filter 3 along the groove section 2 .
  • a three-phase wiring section 5 for applying a three-phase driving voltage is provided to the plural electrodes 4 . It is noted that the plural electrodes 4 are covered with an insulating film 7 as mentioned later, but in order to simplify the explanation, it is not shown in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the switch 1 of FIG. 2 .
  • the electrode 4 which is provided by patterning a metal film such as an aluminum film on a surface of the main body 8 , extends to a side surface of the groove section 2 .
  • the electrode 4 is provided so as to be opposed to a side surface 3 x of the filter 3 .
  • insulating matching oil 6 such as silicone oil is sealed into the groove section 2 .
  • the insulating film 7 is provided onto the surface of the main body 8 so as to cover the electrodes 4 .
  • the electrodes 4 are formed by metal, when they are provided so as to be overlapped with the waveguides 14 a and 14 b , a light is attenuated. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2 , in the main body 8 , the electrodes 4 are provided onto portions different from the portion provided with the waveguides 14 a and 14 b so as to be opposed to the moving element section 3 d of the filter 3 .
  • the electrodes 4 are metal films with thickness of 1000 ⁇ and width of 5 ⁇ m, for example, and gaps between the electrodes are 5 ⁇ m.
  • the interference filters 3 a through 3 c have optical properties shown in FIGS. 4 through 6 , for example.
  • the electrodes 4 As shown in FIGS. 7 through 9 , the electrodes 4 a through 4 i are provided, the electrodes 4 a , 4 d and 4 g are connected with a wiring 5 a of the three-phase wiring section 5 , the electrodes 4 b , 4 e and 4 h are connected with a wiring 5 b , and the electrodes 4 c , 4 f and 4 i are connected with a wiring 5 c .
  • the optical switch 1 When the optical switch 1 is in an initial state (total transmitting mode), as shown in FIG.
  • the lights with wavelengths ⁇ 1 and ⁇ 2 which enter from the input port 1 directly advance in the waveguide 14 a and are output from a first output port Oa.
  • a positive voltage +V is applied to the wiring 5 a
  • a negative voltage ⁇ V is applied to the wiring 5 b
  • a ground voltage is applied to the wiring 5 c .
  • the electrodes 4 a , 4 d and 4 g are charged with positive polarity
  • the electrodes 4 b , 4 e and 4 h are charged with negative polarity.
  • portions 3 p , 3 r and 3 t opposed to the electrodes 4 a , 4 d and 4 g are charged with negative polarity
  • portions 3 q , 3 s and 3 u opposed to the electrodes 4 b , 4 e and 4 h are charged with positive polarity.
  • a repulsive force acts upon the portions 3 p , 3 r and 3 t due to the electrodes 4 a , 4 c , 4 d , 4 f and 4 g charged with negative polarity, and simultaneously an attracting force acts thereon due to the electrodes 4 b , 4 e and 4 h charged with positive polarity.
  • a repulsive force acts upon the portions 3 q , 3 s and 3 u due to the electrodes 4 b , 4 e and 4 h charged with positive polarity, and simultaneously an attracting force acts thereon due to the electrodes 4 c , 4 f and 4 i charged with negative polarity.
  • a repulsive force acts upon the filter 3 to a vertical direction of FIG. 7 , and a driving force is generated to the left side, so that the filter 3 moves by one width of the electrodes 4 .
  • the portions 3 p , 3 r and 3 t are opposed to the electrodes 4 b , 4 e , and 4 h charged with positive polarity, and the portions 3 q , 3 s and 3 u are opposed to the electrodes 4 c , 4 f and 4 i charged with negative polarity.
  • a ground voltage is applied to the wiring 5 a
  • a positive voltage +V is applied to the wiring 5 b
  • a negative voltage ⁇ V is applied to the wiring 5 c as shown in FIG. 7( c )
  • the position of the filter 3 is fixed so that the interference filter 3 a of the filter 3 is arranged on the crossed section 14 c of the waveguides 14 a and 14 b as shown in FIG. 11 .
  • the transmittance of the interference filter 3 a is approximately 0% at the wavelengths ⁇ 1 and ⁇ 2 (see FIG. 4) . Therefore, the lights with wavelengths ⁇ 1 and ⁇ 2 which have entered from the input port I are reflected by the interference filter 3 a of the filter 3 so as to advance in the waveguide 14 b and output from a second output port Ob.
  • a voltage to be applied to the three-phase wiring section 5 is switched so that a negative voltage ⁇ V is applied to the wirings 5 a and 5 b and a positive voltage +V is applied to the wiring 5 c as shown in FIG. 7( d ).
  • a repulsive force acts upon the filter 3 to the vertical direction of FIG. 7 and a driving force is generated to the left side.
  • the filter 3 moves by one width of the electrodes 4 , and the portions 3 p , 3 r and 3 t are opposed to the electrodes 4 c , 4 f and 4 i charged with positive polarity and the portions 3 q and 3 s are opposed to the electrodes 4 d and 4 g charged with negative polarity in the moving element section 3 d.
  • a negative voltage ⁇ V is applied to the wiring 5 a
  • a ground voltage is applied to the wiring 5 b
  • a positive voltage +V is applied to the wiring 5 c as shown in FIG. 8( a )
  • the position of the filter 3 is fixed so that the interference filter 3 b of the filter 3 is arranged on the crossed section 14 c of the waveguides 14 a and 14 b .
  • the transmittance of the interference filter 3 b is approximately 100% at the wavelength ⁇ 1
  • the transmittance is approximately 0% at the wavelength ⁇ 2 (see FIG. 5) .
  • the light with wavelength ⁇ 1 which has entered from the input port I transmits through the filter 3 so as to linearly advance in the waveguide 14 a and output from the first output port Oa.
  • the light with wavelength ⁇ 2 is reflected by the interference filter 3 b of the filter 3 so as to linearly advance in the waveguide 14 b and output from the second output port Ob.
  • a voltage to be applied to the three-phase wiring section 5 is switched so that a positive voltage +V is applied to the wiring 5 a and a negative voltage ⁇ V is applied to the wirings 5 b and 5 c as shown in FIG. 8( b ).
  • the filter 3 moves by one width of the electrodes 4 , and the portions 3 p and 3 r are opposed to the electrodes 4 d and 4 g charged with positive polarity, and the portions 3 q and 3 s are opposed to the electrodes 4 e and 4 h charged with negative polarity.
  • a positive voltage +V is applied to the wiring 5 a
  • a negative voltage ⁇ V is applied to the wiring 5 b
  • a ground voltage is applied to the wiring 5 c as shown in FIG. 8( c )
  • the position of the filter 3 is fixed so that the interference filter 3 c of the filter 3 is arranged on the crossed section 14 c of the waveguides 14 a and 14 b as shown in FIG. 13 .
  • the transmittance of the interference filter 3 c is approximately 0% at wavelength ⁇ 1
  • the transmittance is approximately 100% at wavelength ⁇ 2 (see FIG. 6) .
  • the light with wavelength ⁇ 1 which has entered from the input port I is reflected by the interference filter 3 c of the filter 3 so as to linearly advance in the waveguide 14 b and output from the second output port Ob.
  • the light with wavelength ⁇ 2 transmits through the interference filter 3 c of the filter 3 so as to linearly advance in the waveguide 14 a and output from the first output port Oa.
  • a voltage to be applied to the three-phase wiring section 5 is switched so that a negative voltage ⁇ V is applied to the wiring 5 a and a positive voltage +V is applied to the wirings 5 b and 5 c as shown in FIG. 8( d ).
  • a repulsive force acts upon the portions 3 p , 3 r and 3 t due to the electrodes 4 d and 4 g charged with negative polarity, and an attracting force acts thereon due to the electrodes 4 c , 4 f and 4 i charged with positive polarity.
  • a repulsive force acts upon the portions 3 q and 3 s due to the electrodes 4 e , 4 f , 4 h and 4 i charged with positive polarity, and simultaneously an attracting force acts thereon due to the electrodes 4 d and 4 g charged with negative polarity.
  • a repulsive force acts upon the filter 3 to the vertical direction in FIG. 8 , and a driving force is generated to the right side, so that the filter 3 moves by one width of the electrodes 4 .
  • the portions 3 p , 3 r and 3 t are opposed to the electrodes 4 c , 4 f and 4 i charged with positive polarity, and the portions 3 q and 3 s are opposed to the electrodes 4 d and 4 g charged with negative polarity.
  • a negative voltage ⁇ V is applied to the wiring 5 a
  • a ground voltage is applied to the wiring 5 b
  • a positive voltage +v is applied to the wiring 5 c as shown in FIG. 9( a )
  • the position of the filter 3 is fixed so that and the interference filter 3 b of the filter 3 is arranged on the crossed section 14 c of the waveguides 14 a and 14 b as shown in FIG. 12 .
  • a voltage to be applied to the three-phase wiring section 5 is switched so that a positive voltage +V is applied to the wirings 5 a and 5 b and a negative voltage ⁇ V is applied to the wiring 5 c as shown in FIG. 9( b ).
  • a repulsive force acts upon the filter 3 to the vertical direction in FIG. 9 and a driving force is generated to the right side, so that the filter 3 moves by one width of the electrodes 4 .
  • a ground voltage is applied to the wiring 5 a
  • a positive voltage +V is applied to the wiring 5 b and a negative voltage ⁇ V is applied to the wiring 5 c as shown in FIG. 9( c )
  • the position of the filter 3 is fixed so that the interference filter 3 a of the filter 3 is arranged on the crossed section 14 c of the guide waves 14 a and 14 b as shown in FIG. 11 .
  • a voltage to be applied to the three-phase wiring section 5 is switched so that a positive voltage +V is applied to the wirings 5 a and 5 c and a negative voltage ⁇ V is applied to the wiring 5 b as shown in FIG. 9( d ).
  • a repulsive force acts upon the filter 3 to the vertical direction in FIG. 9 and a driving force is generated to the right side, so that the filter 3 moves by one width of the electrodes 4 .
  • a positive voltage +V is applied to the wiring 5 a
  • a negative voltage ⁇ V is applied to the wiring 5 b and a ground voltage is applied to the wiring 5 c as shown in FIG. 7( a )
  • the filter 3 is arranged in a position where all the interference filters 3 a through 3 c are retracted from the crossed section 14 c of the waveguides 14 a and 14 b as shown in FIG. 10 .
  • a voltage to be applied to the three-phase wiring section 5 is switched in the order of FIG. 7( b ), FIG. 7( d ) and FIG. 8( a ), so that the state can be changed from the state in FIG. 10 into the state in FIG. 12 .
  • a voltage to be applied to the three-phase wiring section 5 is switched in the order of FIG. 7( b ), FIG. 7( d ), FIG. 8( b ) and FIG. 8( c ), so that the state can be changed from the state in FIG. 10 into the state in FIG. 13 .
  • a voltage to be applied to the three-phase wiring section 5 is switched in the order of FIG. 7( d ), FIG. 8( b ) and FIG. 8( c ), so that the state can be changed from the state in FIG. 11 into the state in FIG. 13 .
  • a voltage to be applied to the three-phase wiring section 5 is switched in the order of FIG. 8( d ), FIG. 9( b ) and FIG. 9( c ), so that the state can be changed from the state in FIG. 13 into the state in FIG. 11 .
  • a voltage to be applied to the three-phase wiring section 5 is switched in the order of FIG. 8( d ), FIG. 9( b ), 9 ( d ) and FIG. 7( a ), so that the state can be changed from the state in FIG. 13 into the state in FIG. 10 .
  • a voltage to be applied to the three-phase wiring section 5 is switched in the order of FIG. 9( b ), FIG. 9( d ) and FIG. 7( a ), so that the state can be changed from the state in FIG. 12 into the state in FIG. 10 .
  • an inductive charge type electrostatic system by means of the electrodes 4 and the moving element section 3 d of the filter 3 is utilized so as to move the filter 3 , so that a wavelength multiplexed light flux where carrier waves with plural wavelengths are superposed can be switched among total reflection, total transmission, partial transmission and partial reflection.
  • the interference filter can be set as a narrow band which allows only a light with wavelength of 1.55 ⁇ m (1550 nm) to transmit through, for example.
  • wavelength multiplexed incident lights can be output separately by switching per wavelength, an additional branching filter or the like is not required thereby simplifying an optical communication system.
  • FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of an optical switch 1 a according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • a main body 8 is formed with two waveguides 14 a and 14 b , and a groove section 2 which crosses a crossed section 14 c of the waveguides 14 a and 14 b .
  • a filter 3 is put into the groove section 2 into which matching oil 6 such as silicone oil has been sealed.
  • a rear surface of a cover section 20 covering an upper surface of the main body 8 via an insulating film 27 is provided with a plurality of electrodes 24 which function as stators for a moving element section 3 d , and a three-phase wiring section 25 which applies a three-phase driving voltage to the plural electrodes 24 .
  • the cover section 20 is shown in a transmitted form in order to show a relationship between the electrodes 24 and the three-phase wiring section 25 .
  • the electrodes 24 are provided on positions which cross the moving element section 3 d of the filter 3 .
  • the electrodes 24 are made of metal films with thickness of 1000 ⁇ and width of 5 ⁇ m, for example, similarly to the first embodiment, and gaps between the electrodes are 5 ⁇ m.
  • FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the optical switch 1 a .
  • the electrodes 24 are opposed to an upper surface 3 y of the filter 3 put into the groove section 2 via the matching oil 6 and the insulating film 27 . Since the operation of the optical switch 1 a having such a structure is similar to that of the first embodiment, the explanation thereof is omitted.
  • FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of an optical switch 1 b according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • an insulating film 37 is provided thereon so as to cover the upper surface.
  • a clad layer 31 having waveguides 14 a and 14 b are provided on the upper surface of the insulating film 37 so that a groove section 2 which crosses a crossed section 14 c of the two waveguides 14 a and 14 b is formed.
  • a filter 3 is put into the groove section 2 into which matching oil 6 such as silicone oil has been sealed.
  • the electrodes 34 are provided on positions which cross a moving element section 3 d of the filter 3 .
  • the electrodes 34 are made of metal films with thickness of 1000 ⁇ and width of 5 ⁇ m, for example, similarly to the first embodiment, and gaps between the electrodes are 5 ⁇ m.
  • FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the optical switch 1 b .
  • the electrodes 34 are opposed to a lower surface 3 z of the filter 3 , which is put into the groove section 2 , via the matching oil 6 and the insulating film 37 . Since the operation of the optical switch 1 b having such a structure is similar to that of the first embodiment, the explanation thereof is omitted.
  • FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing an internal structure of an optical switch 1 c according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • a main body 8 is formed with two waveguides 14 a and 14 b , and a groove section 2 which crosses a crossed section 14 c of the waveguides 14 a and 14 b .
  • a filter 43 is put into the groove section 2 into which matching oil 6 has been sealed, and a portion provided with interference filters 3 a through 3 c are positioned in a vicinity of the crossed section 14 c.
  • the filter 43 is constituted so as to protrude from the groove section 2 upward by 200 ⁇ m or more, and the protruded portion is a moving element section 43 d .
  • a plate section 40 with electrodes is provided on a surface of the portion of the main body 8 provided with the waveguides 14 a and 14 b .
  • a side surface 40 x of the plate section 40 with electrodes is provided with a plurality of electrodes 44 which function as stators for the moving element section 3 d , and a three-phase wiring section 45 which applies a three-phase driving voltage to the plural electrodes 44 .
  • a plate section 41 is provided on a surface of the main body 8 provided only with the waveguide 14 a . It is noted that the plural electrodes 44 are covered with an insulating film 47 as mentioned later but are not shown in FIG. 19 in order to simplify the explanation.
  • the insulating film 47 for covering the electrodes 44 and the three-phase wiring section 45 are provided on the side surface 40 x of the plate section 40 with electrodes where the electrodes 44 and the three-phase wiring section 45 are provided.
  • the plate section 40 with electrodes is constituted by an insulating material.
  • the electrodes 44 are made of metal films with thickness of 1000 ⁇ and width of 5 ⁇ m, for example, and gaps between the electrodes are 5 ⁇ m.
  • FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the optical switch 1 c .
  • the electrodes 44 are opposed to the moving element section 43 d on a side surface 43 x of the filter 43 put into the groove section 2 via the matching oil 6 and the insulating film 47 .
  • the filter 43 has interference filters 3 a through 3 c , which are provided so as to be opposed to a side surface of the groove section 2 , and a notched section 43 e for transmitting all incident lights.
  • the moving element section 43 d is provided on the top portions of the notched section 43 e and the interference filters 3 a through 3 c . Since the operation of the optical switch 1 b having such a structure is similar to that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
  • the electrodes 24 through 44 which function as stators are provided onto a layer different from the waveguides 14 a and 14 b . Therefore, the electrodes 24 through 44 in the optical switch in the second through fourth embodiments may be provided onto a position which is overlapped with the waveguides 14 a and 14 b or a position which is not overlapped with the waveguides 14 a and 14 b viewed from the upper surface of the optical switch.
  • another switching member such as a micromirror instead of the filter, as well as the moving element section may be provided in the groove section so as to be opposed to the electrodes.
  • the switch member provided so as to cross the waveguides is moved by the inductive charge type electrostatic system, so that an optical switch which does not require a movable plate and a heat radiating mechanism can be realized.
  • an insulating film may be provided onto the filter 3 .
  • a relationship between the electrodes functioning as stators and the three-phase wiring section for applying a three-phase driving voltage to the electrodes may be as shown in FIG. 22 or 23 , for example. Namely, as shown in FIG. 22 , wirings 52 a through 52 c which are electrically connected with electrodes 51 a through 51 c may be provided, and electrodes 53 a through 53 i may be provided with contact holes 54 a through 54 i , respectively. A three-phase driving voltage is applied to the electrodes 51 a through 51 c .
  • the electrodes 53 a through 53 i function as stators.
  • the contact holes 54 a through 54 i electrically connect the electrodes 53 a through 53 i to the wirings 52 a through 52 c , respectively.
  • the electrodes 53 a , 53 d and 53 g are connected with the wiring 52 a , which is provided via the insulating film, through the contact holes 54 a , 54 d and 54 g .
  • the electrodes 53 b , 53 e and 53 h are connected with the wiring 52 b , which is provided via the insulating film, through the contact holes 54 b , 54 e and 54 h .
  • the electrodes 53 c , 53 f and 53 i are connected with the wiring 52 c , which is provided with the insulating film, through the contact holes 54 c , 54 f and 54 i.
  • a flexible substrate 60 having wirings 62 a through 62 i is provided so as to be electrically connected with electrodes 61 a through 61 c to which a three-phase driving voltage is applied.
  • Electrodes 64 a through 64 i which function as stators are electrically connected with the wirings 62 a through 62 i of the flexible substrate 60 via ACF (anisotropy conductive film) 63 .
  • the electrodes 64 a , 64 d and 64 g are connected with the electrode 61 a through the wirings 62 a , 62 d and 62 g
  • the electrodes 64 b , 64 e and 64 h are connected with the electrode 61 b through the wirings 62 b , 62 e and 62 h
  • the electrodes 64 c , 64 f and 64 i are connected with the electrode 61 c through the wirings 62 c , 62 f and 62 i.
  • the electrodes 64 a through 64 i having width of 5 ⁇ m provided with intervals of 5 ⁇ m can be electrically connected with the electrodes 61 a through 61 c having width of 100 ⁇ m provided on the flexible substrate 60 with intervals of 100 ⁇ m.
  • FIG. 24 is a plan view when a plurality of optical switches are provided.
  • an optical switch line 100 is constituted so that the optical switches 101 a through 101 c having one of the structures in the first through fourth embodiments are arranged linearly.
  • a waveguide 114 a crosses waveguides 114 b through 114 d , and groove sections 102 a through 102 c are provided on the crossed sections, respectively, and filters 103 a through 103 c are put into the groove sections 102 a through 102 c , respectively.
  • An optical fiber 104 is connected with an input side (left in the drawing) of the waveguide 114 a
  • an optical fiber 105 is connected with an output side (right in the drawing) of the waveguide 114 a
  • Optical fibers of an optical fiber array 106 are connected with output sides (downward in the drawing) of the waveguides 114 b through 114 d , respectively.
  • filters 103 a through 103 c provided in the groove sections 102 a through 102 c are moved by using the inductive charge type electrostatic system, so that the light flux can be output from different optical fibers per wavelength.
  • an optical switch line is composed of n-numbered optical switches
  • a light where n-numbered wavelengths are multiplexed is divided into n-numbered optical fibers
  • they are directly input into 1 ⁇ n-numbered optical switches without switching output, so that lights with arbitrary wavelengths can be output to the n-numbered optical fibers for output. Therefore, a conventional expensive branching filter or the like is not required, and a number of the optical switches can be reduced and loss of a light can be reduced.
  • the driving voltage is switched so that an electrostatic force acts upon the moving element and the stators. Since the electrostatic force is utilized so as to move the switching member, the stators can be located accurately per pitch. Moreover, since electrodes are arranged as stators so that a driving mechanism of the switching member can be structured, the driving mechanism can be miniaturized. Further, since the switching member which is provided on an optical path of an optical waveguide guides a light to different directions according to wavelengths, an incident light where wavelengths are multiplexed can be output separately by switching it per wavelength. Therefore, an additional branching filter or the like is not required, so that an optical communication system using an optical switch can be simplified.
  • a plurality of electrodes to be stators are provided on different portion from optical waveguides, excessive loss of a waveguide light for propagating on an optical waveguide can be prevented.
  • a plurality of electrodes are not constituted in a groove section but provided on a different layer, so that the stators to be electrostatic force generating section can be constituted simply.
  • a wavelength multiplexed light is not branched into a plurality of optical fibers but is directly input into optical switches arranged in series, so that lights with arbitrary wavelengths can be output to the respective optical fibers for output. Therefore, a conventional expensive branching filter or the like is not required, and a number of optical switches is reduced, thereby reducing a loss of a light.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Mechanical Light Control Or Optical Switches (AREA)
  • Optical Integrated Circuits (AREA)
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JP2013507792A (ja) * 2009-10-13 2013-03-04 スコーピオズ テクノロジーズ インコーポレイテッド チューナブルレーザのハイブリッド集積のための方法及びシステム
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US20060045526A1 (en) * 2004-09-02 2006-03-02 Makoto Katayama Optical communication system

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